Dispenser for electrical tape



Nov. 8, 1966 B. c. SEBESTA DISPENSER FOR ELECTRICAL TAPE Filed March 2, 1965 0 6 Z a Q m m m F... 0 M -m a 3 s A L 3 Z z I M 9 I A m r 4 j 2 w F 6 6 INVENTOR United States Patent Filed Mar. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 436,492 12 Claims. (Cl. 225-7) This invention relates to an improvement in dispenser for tape and deals particularly with a dispenser capable of cutting off lengths of tough somewhat resilient tape such as that known to the trade as electrlcal tape.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a tape dispenser which may be normally maintained in a closed position to maintain the tape in good condition over long periods of time. In general, the dispenser includes a body portion having an annular ringshaped groove therein, the inner wall of which provides a hub for rotatably supporting a roll of tape having a hollow core, and the outer wall of which forms an enclosure encircling the outer periphery of the tape roll. A slot is provided in the outer peripheral wall through which the tape may be drawn, the withdrawal of the tape causing the tape roll to rotate about the central hub. The other portion of the dispenser includes a closure plate having a central aperture designed to accommodate the end portion of the hub of the body portion, and including a curved segment designed to overlie a portion of the upper peripheral wall of the body portion. Means are provided for rotatably connecting the outer portion of the dispenser to the body portion thereof so that the closure plate acts as a closure for the open side of the body. In preferred form, this means comprises a plate parallel to the closure plate, and overlying the closed side of the body portion. This retaining plate includes an aperture which is axially aligned with the aperture in the closure plate and is designed to accommodate an extension of the hub which extends beyond the closed side of the body portion. Accordingly, the outer portion of the dispenser may be rotated relative to the body portion and, in one position, encloses and overlies the slot in the peripheral Wall of the body portion through which the tape extends. A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means limiting the pivotal movement of the outer portion of the dispenser relative to the body portion thereof. As a result, the outer portion of the dispenser may be moved from a closed position in which the curved wall of the outer portion overlies the slot to an open position in which the slot, and a section of tape extending thereto, is exposed.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of one or more pointed teeth on one end of the curved wall of the outer dispenser portion which are engageable with the tape to assist in cutting off the tape. The body portion of the dispenser is provided with an abutment projecting outwardly from the outer peripheral wall in spaced relation to the slot through which the tape extends. This abutment is preferably pro vided with recesses equal in number to the number of teeth and into which the teeth extend in closed position of the dispenser. As a result, after a desired length of tape has been drawn from the dispenser, While the dispenser is in open position, the outer portion of the dispenser may be rotated to closed position, the tooth or teeth penetrating the tape as the tape overlies the abutment. While in this position, the dispensed portion of the tape may be detached by pulling the tape to tear the unsevered area of the width of the tape.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a convex shoulder on the outer surface of the body portion of the dispenser adjoining the tape dispensing slot and located between this slot and the abutment. When the outer portion of the dispenser swung into closed position, the tooth end of the curved wall engages the adhesive coated surface of the tape and draws the tape over the convex shoulder and against the abutment. The convex shoulder engages the nonadhesive coated surface of the tape intermediate its longitudinal edges. When the dispenser is in closed. position and a pull is exerted upon the portion of the tape to be dispensed, this pull draws the portion of the tape between the dispensing slot and the abutment into slightly channel-shaped form, thus stiffening the tape much in the manner in which a flexible steel ruler is stiffened by being curved in cross section.

A further feature of the present invention resides in making an area of the outer peripheral wall of the body portion of the dispenser on the opposite side of the dispensing slot from the convex shoulder transversely concaved. This concaved area is designed to conform with the transverse cross-sectional curve of the tape. When the outer portion of the dispenser is swung into open position, the adhesive coated side of the tape remains attached thereto, flexing the portion of the tape just outside of the slot over this concave area before continued pivotal movement of the outer dispenser portion detaches the projecting end of the tape therefrom. During this action, the tape tends to return to its channel-shaped form into which it has been stretched during the severing of the tape. Because of this fact, as soon as the projecting end of the tape becomes detached from the teeth, the tape tends to swing away from the body of the dispenser and to extend in a generally radial direction from the slot. When in this position, the tape may be easily grasped for removing another length of tape from the roll. 1

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a transversely concave projection on the inner surface of the outer portion of the dispenser closely adjacent to the base of the tooth or bases of the teeth. This concave projection cooperates with the convex shoulder to stretch or deform the tape in transverse section when the tape is severed. As a result, when a pull is exerted on the tape, the tape is actually stretched or deformed in such a manner as to tend to bend the tape into curved form in cross-section when the dispenser is reopened. This concave projection on the inner surface of the outer portion of the dispenser also reengages the tacky surface of the tape when the dispenser is opened and then reclosed, and acts in the same manner it did when the tape was severed to flex the tape'back through substantially degrees when'the dispenser is reopened and to permit the tape to swing out in generally radial relation to the dispenser when the outer portion of the dispenser is moved out of contact with the tape.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a construction which may be easily opened for refilling. In a preferred form of construction, the outer portion of the dispenser comprises a pair of disk-like plates which are centrally apertured to accommodate extensions of the core of the body portion, and

a curved segment overlying a portion of the periphery of the body portion. Notches are preferably provided in the inner surfaces of the two plates at a point on these plates diametrically opposed to the curved connecting section. By inserting the finger nails into these notches, the two plates may be fixed apart a distance suflicient to disengage the apertures from the hub extensions of the body portion, permitting the outer portion to be slipped out of engagement with the body portion. Replacing the outer portion of the dispenser, it is only necessary to spread the plates far enough apart to pass the ends of the hub extensions and slide the outer portion into a position Patented Nov. 8, 1966 where the hub extensions register with the apertures in the plates.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention, will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims:

In the drawings forming a part of the specification;

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View of the dispenser in open position, the tape being admitted from this figure.

I FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the dispenser shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view through a portion of the dispenser in open position, the position of the section being indicated by the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is another sectional view through a portion of the open dispenser, the position of the section being indicated by the line 44 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is anv enlarged sectional view through the outlet portion of the dispenser after a section of tape has been withdrawn and the outer portion of the dispenser is pivoted into closed position. v

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the relationshipof the parts when the outer portion of the dispenser is formed into open position, showing a dotted outline the position towards which the tape flexes so that it may be easily engaged.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the outlet portion of the conveyor when in opened position.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the outlet end of the dispenser in closed position and before the tape being dispensed has been detached.

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of the body portion of the dispenser with the outer portion thereof removed. FIGURE 10 is a sectional view through the body portion of the conveyor showing a roll of tape supported on the hub thereof, the position of the section being indicated by the line 1010 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 has an elevational view of the outer portion of the dispenser detached from the body portion thereof.

FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view of the outer portion of the dispenser showing a modified form of cutting tooth construction.

The dispenser A is designed to support and permit the dispenser of tape from a tape roll indicated in certain of the figures by the letter B. In general, the dispenser A includes a hollow enclosure for the tape roll having a slot in the peripheral wall through which the end of the tape 'extends. A predetermined length of the tape is drawn through the slot by pulling upon the end of the tape. The outer portion of the dispenser is then swung into closed position, causing one or more teeth which extend transversely of the tape to pass through the tape, normally cutting through the major portion of the width of the tape. The end of the tape is then detached by pulling upon the projecting end to sever the remainder of the width of the tape.

During this operation, a portion of the tape which lies between the dispensing slot and the point of severance is flexed into a slightly channel-shaped form, or is curved in cross section. The tacky side of the tape remains adhered to the relatively movable outer portion of the dispenser, and this portion of the tape is flexed through approximately 180 degrees as the dispenser is opened. Through the movement of the outer portion of the dispenser detaches'the tape from the outer removable portion and when once released, the tape tends to return to its channel-shaped form and tends to swing outwardly toward radial relation to the axis of the tape roll so that this end of the tape may be easily grasped.

As indicated in FIGURES 9 and 10 of the drawings, the body portion of the dispenser, which is indicated in general by the numeral 10, includes a disk-like closure plate 11 having a peripheral generally cylindrical flange 12 extending from one side thereof. An axial hub 13 concentric with the flange 12 projects from the closure 4 plate 11. The hub 13 is provided with a reduced diameter end portion 14. The hub 13 is also provided with a reduced diameter extension 15 which projects from the closure plate 11 in a direction opposite the major portion of the hub 13.

The tape roll B is of conventional form, including a core 16 usually formed of paperboard or the like and about which the tape is wound. With slight modification, the dispenser may be used for any type of flexible tape. However, the dispenser is particularly useful when used in conjunction with tape known to the trade as electrical tape and which is a particularly tough resilient tape which is very difilcult to sever with dispensers of conventional form.

As indicated in FIGURES 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings, a portion of the periphery of the flange 12 extends tangentially as indicated at 17, providing at its end extremity an abutment 19. A dispensing slot 20 extends through the flange 12 at a point spaced from the abutment 19. The abutment 19 is provided in its end extremity with one or more apertures 21 designed to accommodate tape severing teeth which will be later described.

In generally diametrically opposed relation to the slot 20 I provide a projection 22 which may be only a fraction of the width of the peripheral flange 12 and which is provided with a side 23 generally parallel to the tangential side 17 of the abutment 19. The projection 22 comes to an apex at the line 24, and a curved side 25 extends from this apex 24 to the periphery of the flange 12. The purpose of the projection 22 is to limit pivotal movement of the outer portion of the dispenser relative to the inner portion, as will be later described. The specific shape of the projection 22 is designed to improve the appearance of the dispenser, as well as to serve its main purpose.

The outer portion of the dispenser is indicated in general by the numeral 26, and is shown in unattached form in FIGURES 11 and 12 of the drawings. The dispenser outer portion 26 preferably includes a pair of parallel disks or plates v27 and 29 which are connected by a curved connecting wall 30. As indicated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the curved wall 30 has a greater radius curvature than the wall flange 12 of the body portion 10, the connecting wall 30 being formed so that it is relatively near to the cylindrical flange 12 at its center point and is spaced substantially from the cylindrical flange 12 at its ends. The plates 27 and 29 are usually substantially identical in shape and include an arouate edge portion 31 which is diametrically opposed to the connecting side 30, and generally parallel or tangential extensions 32 and 33 which lead to the ends of the curved wall 30. As is perhaps best illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the dnawings, the end 34 of the curved wall 30 which is nearest the abutment 19 is provided with one or more tape piercing teeth 35, two such teeth being illustrated in FIGURE 7. The base portions of the teeth 35 are designed to fit fairly snugly in the aperture 21 of the abutment 19 in the closed position of the dispenser, as will be described. The teeth 35 are somewhat pyramidal in shape having relati-vely sharp outer edges as indicated at 36 in FIGURE 2.

As will be noted in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a short wall 37 extends between end portions of the tangentially extending side'33 of the parallel plates 27 and 29, the wall 37 extending from an end of the curved wall 30 to the periphery of the cylindrical flange 12. This short wall 37 is designed to engage the abutment 22 in extreme open position of the dispenser as indicated in FIGURE 1, thus limiting the opening movement of the dispenser. In the closed position indicated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, the teeth 35 are engaged in the recesses 21 in the end of the abutment 19, limiting relative pivotal movement of the outer portion 26 of the dispenser relative to the body portion 10 thereof.

Means are provided for distorting the tape from the tape roll B into a channel-shaped cross-sectional form during the severing operation. As is indicated in FIG- URE 3 of the drawings, and shown in perspective in FIG URE 7, an outwardly convex flute member or projection 40 is provided on the periphery of the cylindrical flange 12 ofthe body between the edge of the slot 20 and the abutment 19. This projection 40 is generally of a width corresponding to the space between adjacent teeth and is also indicated in FIGURE 6 which is a cross-sectional view on a plane midway between the ends of the slot 20 or substantially midway between the side plates 27 and 29 of the outer dispenser portion 26. The teeth 35 are shown in FIGURE 6 as projecting from the end of a short end wall 41 at the end 34 of the curved wall 30, and the inner surface of this wall 41 is provided with an inwardly concave projection 42 closely adjacent the base of the teeth 35. As FIGURE 6 is a section through the center of the dispenser, this section shows the thinnest portion of the projection. As is indicated in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, which is a section through the cylindrcial flange 12 just below the slot, there is also a concave ledge 43 on the outer surface of the wall 12 immediately beneath the slot 20. The lower edge 44 of the slot 20 is also slightly concave as is indicated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

The purpose of this arrangement is to flex the tape in a manner to stretch it or distort it into slightly channelshaped form outwardly of the slot as is perhaps best indicated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. The center portion of the tape intermediate the longitudinal edges passes over the convex projection on the upper edge of the lip which stretches the center portion of the tape into concave shape, generally following the contour of the convex projection 40. At the same time, the concave projection 42 at the base of the teeth also tend to flex the tape into curved form when tension is supplied to the end of the tape.

In the operation of the dispenser, the tape roll B is placed to encircle the hub 1-3 while the outer portion 26 of the dispenser is detached, and the end of the tape is threaded through the slot 20 and allowed to project a distance therefrom which is suflicient to permit the tape to be grasped. The outer dispenser portion 26 is then attached to the body portion lby flexing the upper ends of the disk 27 slightly apart so as to slide over the projecting ends 14 and of the hub 13. The outer dispenser portion 26 is forced upwardly until the apertures 46 of the disk 27 and 29 register with the extended hub ends 14 and 15 at which time these side plates will flex back into parallel relation.

To dispense the tape from the roll B, the tape is grasped between the thumb and fore-finger and pulled from the dispenser to the desired length. This takes place when the dispenser is in the open position indicated in FIG- URES l, 6, and 7 of the drawings. The outer portion 26 of the dispenser is then rotated about the hub of the body portion to the closed position illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 8 of the drawings. During this operation the tape is drawn against the end of the abutment 19 by the teeth 35, and at this point the teeth 35 penetrate the tape and sever the major portion of the width of the tape. To complete the removal of the tape, a pull is exerted on the tape while the dispenser is held in closed position. This added pull upon the tape first causes the tape to he drawn firmly against the convex projection 40 at the upper edge of the slot and also draws the tacky side of the tape against the concave abutment 42 near the base of the teeth 35. As a considerable pull is still required to sever the tape, the portion of the tape between the slot 20 and the abutment 19 is stretched or deformed into slightly channel-shape form or curved in cross-section.

When it is desired to dispense more tape, the outer portion 26 of the dispenser is swung from the position shown in FIGURE 5 to the position shown in FIGURE 6. Due to the fact that the tacky side of the tape is engaged with the concave abutment 42, the end of the tape remains attached to the outer dispenser portion 26 and is flexed through approximately 180 degrees by the opening movement of the cover. As the cover member 26 approaches the extreme open position shown in FIGURE 6, the end of the tape which has adhered to the concave projection 42 is peeled therefrom. However, the tape has retained some of its channel-shaped form, and when it' is released from the concave projection 42, it tends to swing forwardly toward a position extending radially from the center of the tape roll as indicated in dotted outline in FIGURE 6 of the drawings.

Means are provided for retaining the outer dispenser portion 26 in an extreme position relative to the body portion 10. As indicated in FIGURES 9 and 10, a short projection 47 is provided on the outer surface of the disklike wall 11 near the periphery thereof. The side wall 27 of the outer dispenser portion 26 is provided with a pair of angularly spaced pocket-s 49 into which the projection 47 may extend in the extreme relative positions of the two parts. Furthermore, in order to simplify the removal of the outer dispenser portion 26, the upper arcuate edge 31 is provided with notches 50 designed to accommodate a finger nail which may be used to flex the plates 27 and 29 apart at their upper ends.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in dispenser for tape, and while I have endeavored to 'set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A tape dispenser comprising:

(a) a hollow dispenserbody,

(b) spindle means normal to said body to rotatably carry a roll of tape, 1

' (c) said body having an opening spaced from said spindle means through which an end of said tape is adapted to be led,

(d) a closure plate pivotally secured to said body having a tooth end,

(e) said tooth end of said closure plate adapted to be moved substantially normal to the plane of said body opening and closely adjacent to said opening,

(f) at least one tooth on said tooth end of a width closely corresponding to the width of said tape, said tooth having a tape piercing end,

(g) an edge of said body opening having a convex tape distorting rneans against which said tape is adapted to be urged by said tooth acting to flex the tape into channel-shaped form in cross-section,

('h) an abutment having at least one tooth receiving recess registrable with said tooth, said abutment spaced from said convex distorting means,

(i) said abutment having face portions adapted to be in abutting relation to corresponding portions of said closure plate end when said tooth is registered in said recess.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which:

(a) said tooth end has a plurality of teeth in spaced side by side relation,

(b) said tape distoring means includes -a flute member protruding from said body of a width corresponding generally to the space between adjacent teeth.

3. The structure of claim 1 and in which each said tooth has a concave abutment on which the pierced roll end of the tape is adapted to adhere.

4. The structure of claim 1 and in which said body includes stop means limiting movement of said closure plate away from said abutment.

5. The structure of claim 3 and in which said concave abutment includes a lip adjacent the other end of said tooth.

6. A tape dispenser comprising:

(a) a channel shaped outer body,

(b) an inner carrier rotatalbly telescoped in said body,

(0) said carrier having spindle means normal to the sides of said body to rotatably support a roll t tape,

(d) said carrier having a transverse aperture spaced from said spindle means through which an end of said roll of tape is adapted to be led,

(e) said channel body having an en closure plate,

(f) a plurality of spaced side by side tape piercing teeth mounted on said closure plate, said plate adapted to be moved into and out of normal relation to tape being led through said aperture to substantially sever said tape,

(g) a flute member of a Width substantially corresponding to the space between adjacent teeth secured in protruding relation to the outer surface of said carrier proximate to an edge of said aperture against which the tape is adapted to be urged by said teeth,

('h) an abutment member having spaced recesses corresponding in number to the number of teeth, said recesses being registrable with said teeth,

(i) face portions of said abutment member adapted to be in abutting relation with corresponding face portions of said plate when said teeth are registered in said recesses to hold said tape in clamped relation,

(j) means on said teeth to extrudingly engage the roll side of said pierced tape, and

(k) forming means cooper-able with said flute memher to form the severed roll end of said tape into a generally channel-shaped ta'b end.

7. The structure of claim 6 and in which said carrier has means limiting rotation of said closure plate relative to said aperture.

8. The structure of claim 7 and in which:

, (a) said body has a stop end portion,

(b) said carrier has an outwardly disposed abutment adopted to coact with said stop end portion to termi- 8 nate movement of said ptate away from, said aper ture in one direction of rotation.

9. The structure of claim .6 and in which said forming means includes at least one concave edge portion adjacent said aperture.

10. The structure of claim 6 and in which said outer body has a pair of registrably opposed apertures, said carrier having actually registered, generally annular shoulder members disposed outwardly of said carrier to rotatably reside in said registrable apertures.

11. The structure of claim 6 and in which said closure plate has a pair of teeth, said recesses having an opening along their outer edges.

12. The structure of claim 6 and in which said means on said teeth includes:

(a) a lip disposed toward said roll of tape and spaced from said tape piercing end of said teeth on which said tape clings.

FOREIGN PATENTS 161,593 3/1955 Australia.

WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

J. M. MEISTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TAPE DISPENSER COMPRISING: (A) A HOLLOW DISPENSER BODY, (B) SPINDLE MEANS NORMAL TO SAID BODY TO ROTATABLY CARRY A ROLL OF TAPE, (C) SAID BODY HAVING AN OPENING SPACED FROM SAID SPINDLE MEANS THROUGH WHICH AN END OF SAID TAPE IS ADAPTED TO BE LED, (D) A CLOSURE PLATE PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID BODY HAVING A TOOTH END, (E) SAID TOOTH END OF SAID CLOSURE PLATE ADAPTED TO BE MOVED SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF SAID BODY OPENING AND CLOSELY ADJACENT TO SAID OPENING (F) AT LEAST ONE TOOTH ON SAID TOOTH END OF A WIDTH CLOSELY CORRESPONDING TO THE WIDTH OF SAID TAPE, SAID TOOTH HAVING A TAPE PIERCING END, (G) AND EDGE OF SAID BODY OPENING HAVING A CONVEX TAPE DISTORTING MEANS AGAINST WHICH SAID TAPE IS ADAPTED TO BE URGED BY SAID TOOTH ACTING TO FLEX THE TAPE INTO CHANNEL-SHAPED FORM IN CROSS-SECTION, (H) AN ABUTMENT HAVING AT LEAST ONE TOOTH RECEIVING RECESS REGISTRABLE WITH SAID TOOTH, SAID ABUTMENT SPACED FROM SAID CONVEX DISTORTING MEANS, (I) SAID ABUTMENT HAVING FACE PORTIONS ADAPTED TO BE IN ABUTTING RELATION TO CORRESPONDING PORTIONS OF SAID CLOSURE PLATE END WHEN SAID TOOTH IS REGISTERED IN SAID RECESS. 